Lebanon’s Mikati to meet Syria’s new leadership

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is set to make his first official visit to Syria on Saturday, marking a significant diplomatic step since the rise to power of a coalition led by Islamist factions in Damascus.

Mikati, known for his historically close ties with Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian autocrat now in exile in Moscow, is expected to engage in discussions aimed at redefining bilateral relations between Lebanon and Syria. 

This visit comes at a crucial moment for Lebanon as the country enters a new phase of political transition following the recent election of its new president.

In a noteworthy shift in rhetoric, Syria’s new leadership has pledged to end its historical "negative interference" in Lebanese affairs and has committed to respecting Lebanon's sovereignty. This assurance marks a departure from Syria's decades-long political and military dominance over Lebanon.

Syria had been a major force in Lebanese politics, especially during the 1975-1990 civil war, and was widely accused of orchestrating numerous political assassinations. 

The most prominent of these was the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005, which led to widespread international condemnation and ultimately forced Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon after nearly 30 years of military presence.

Najib Mikati’s visit comes as Lebanon stands on the cusp of political restructuring. With the election of a new president on Thursday, the formation of a new government is imminent, signaling the likely end of Mikati’s tenure as prime minister. His trip to Damascus is seen as a final diplomatic effort to stabilize Lebanon’s fragile relationship with Syria before stepping down.